Tax credit victims are urged to contact MP

Motherwell and Wishaw MP Marion Fellows has asked people in her constituency to get in touch with her urgently if their tax credit payments have been recently stopped.

This follows a spate of false assessments by Concentrix, who are contracted by HMRC to partly administer the scheme, which has left many low-income families in the area without their vital payments.

Last week HMRC announced they will not renew Concentrix’s contract next year, and have now drafted in additional staff to help those affected receive the money to which they are entitled.

Mrs Fellows said: “Many low income families across Scotland have experienced major difficulties with their tax credit payments as a result of Concentrix’s shambolic handling of cases.

“As a result, these families, already struggling, have been put under more and more pressure. This is unacceptable. People rely on these payments for their financial security.

“Many families have had their tax credits stopped for a variety of bizarre reasons which have no basis in reality or logic. For example, one victim of Concentrix’s mishandling was accused of living with their neighbour’s ex-wife.

“Following sustained pressure from the SNP benches, the UK Government are now intervening on this urgent matter which must be extremely distressing to many families. I am glad that the contract with Concentrix will not be renewed.

“I am appealing to constituents to get in touch with my office if they their tax credits have been stopped or even if they have an issue with any other matter. Local people need to know that there is someone in their community to fight for them when the UK Government and their departments won’t listen.”